Tag Archives: Check It Out

Check It Out: The Virus by Miguel Chen

No one expected 2020 to quite be like this, right?  We’ve all managed to get though this one way or another so far, but here we are, still in the middle of it and it’s unclear how long this will last.

Where a lot of us understand the premise of this, not everyone does, including kids.

Teenage Bottlerocket bassist / Yogi / Father Miguel Chen and artist David Buist have written a book called The Virus to help kids and also parents understand and work though this uncertain time.

Published by Zarfling Platoon, this paperback book is slated to drop on May 1st.  Bonus:  If you preorder this bad boy, you will get a digital copy for free!

I wish I had more insight on the contents of the book, but I guess I will just need to preorder it myself to see what it is all about.  Given Chen’s past two books, I am certain it will be informative, but this time it is aimed at the little ones who do not necessary understand why they can not engage in public activities.

Preorder Link: https://zarfling.com/store/the-virus-paperback

Stay safe folks!

Bar Stool Preachers Drop New Release Today!

I can not wait to get some free time this weekend to crank out a review of an amazing band that was recently sent my way.

The band I speak of is The Bar Stool Preachers.  Let’s just say this band has restored my faith in new ska punk music.  I will leave it at that for now.

New Noise Magazine did a great interview and is streaming the album in its entirety.  Check it out!

From the band’s press release:

From the eclectic scene of punk and ska bands in the UK, The Bar Stool Preachers are a band for EVERYONE – a group of blue-collar musicians who can instantly connect with anyone they play for. Exhibiting a tireless DIY work ethic that is unparalleled by its peers, the band has traveled the world gaining fans with engaging performances on the back of its critically acclaimed debut Blatant Propaganda.

Frontman Tom McFaull has a storied musical lineage running through his veins. The son of Colin McFaull, singer of the legendary Cock Sparrer, he’s learned a lesson or two from his father. With this pedigree, the younger McFaull leads the charge for a new generation of punk bands with incomparable charisma and anger that cannot fail to impress.

But their family is more than blood. Having Aimee Interrupter (The Interrupters) lending her voice on “Choose My Friends” and Pirates Press Records’ extended family (including Rancid, The Bouncing Souls, Dropkick Murphys and many others) in their corner, The Preachers are fortunate to have a wealth of experience and support to help lift them to their inevitable heights. They are also already famed for turning every show attendee, writer, photographer, interviewer and other band’s members into fast friends within minutes of meeting. Yes, they are that special.

After an exceptionally successful showing at Punk Rock Bowling 2018 and a West Coast run, a follow up East Coast tour supporting Street Dogs, and more touring planned at the end of 2018 and thought 2019, The Bar Stool Preachers are ready to provide the soundtrack to your summer, and beyond, as they take over North America in support of Grazie Governo!”

Review soon on this album.  Trust me.  I have a lot of good things to say about these UK ska punkers.

Check It Out: Signals Midwest “Alchemy Hour” Video

I have had the pleasure of getting to know the dudes in Cleveland’s Signals Midwest for years now, so there is no reason why I would not be stoked on sharing their new music video for “Alchemy Hour”, a track off their latest release, At This Age.

Filmed by their pal Tommy Calderon, the video follows the band during their Fall 2016 tour.  Do not worry if you have noticed JR and Loren missing in some clips and Josh Voland as well as Ryan Williamson filling in when JR and Loren could not make some of the tour.  Just thought I should disclose that.  JV is good dude btw and carries leftovers with extreme pride.

At This Age was one of my top releases in 2016 and if you have not made yourself privy to it, you really should change that.

Check it out:

 

Check It Out: Unsung Episode #1: Jason Molina and Songs: Ohia’s Didn’t It Rain

jmpress_2015aI owe my pal Kyle for turning me into a huge Jason Molina fan.

Yesterday, WXPN aired a hour-long special on the late and great Jason Molina.

 

The moment I learned of this, I stopped what I was doing to tell him.  Now I am sharing this with you.

Last night, WXPN in Philadelphia aired the first of Folkadelphia’s Unsung specials of which Jason Molina and Songs: Ohia were the focus. The hour-long feature centered around a watershed moment in Molina’s career, specifically the time leading up to Didn’t It Rain, it’s creation, and the transition to Magnolia Electric Co. Host Fred Kittel guides us through the time period and explores Molina’s impact on a larger scale. The episode includes conversations with important partners in the creation of Didn’t It Rain as well as a compilation of Songs: Ohia covers by local Philadelphia bands. Stream the full episode, covers, etc via the links below.

STREAM FULL SHOW VIA SOUNDCLOUD
https://soundcloud.com/secretlycanadian/folkadelphia-songs-ohia-xpn/

SONGS: OHIA WXPN FOLKADELPHIA COVERS
https://soundcloud.com/secretlycanadian/sets/folkadelphia-songs-ohia-covers/s-ThSEr

Listen to Unsung Episode #1: Jason Molina and Songs: Ohia’s Didn’t It Rain. Make sure you have some spare time on your hands as you are going to get sucked into this.  It is a very interesting look into Molina and his time in Philadelphia while recording and those influenced by it.

Now comes the cool part…  Some of those folk who were influenced by the late and great Molina have contributed to a very appropriate compilation.

Stream and download the entire Songs: Ohia Folkadelphia Covers Compilation, which features RestorationsPsalmships (ft. Mike “Slo-Mo” Brenner), The Weaks (ft. Frances Quinlan from Hop Along), Teen MenLaura Baird, and Adeline Hotel performing Jason Molina’s music.

Enjoy.  I know I did.  Especially that Restorations cover…

Remainders Announce Debut EP Fine Exits – Out November 11th

Pittsburgh’s Remainders have a good thing going with their musical style.  It’s melodic, it’s fun, it’s just… good.

Remainders

If you like Smoke or Fire and Latterman as well as just any catchy punk rock act out there, you will adore this band.

Formed in 2014, the band consists of guitarist Dan Delucia, guitarist/vocalist Karim Akacem, vocalist/bassist Chris Feigh and drummer Tim Little.

(Note: I already adore DeLucia thanks to our ongoing instagram/social media bromance)

Just listen already:

Pretty freaking catchy huh?  I can not wait to hear the rest of it.

Remainders are slated to drop their EP debut on 11/11/2014 with Fine Exits along with a split 7″ release dropping a few weeks earlier with fellow Steel City brethren Underground Communiqué’s Barons.  Busy busy busy.

Pay attention to these guys.  You’ve been forewarned.